The American Revolution is a six-part, 12-hour documentary series from filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt that will premiere on PBS on Nov. 16, 2025, at 8 p.m. Eastern. It will broadcast for six consecutive nights running through Nov. 21, and the full series will also be available for streaming on Nov. 16.
The film examines how the founding of the United States moving chronologically through the decades, spanning from 1754 to 1790, and details how 13 British colonies on the Atlantic coast rose in rebellion, won their independence, and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent.
PBS is seeking to help foster connections between stations and local organizations so that together they can build lasting connections. They are hoping for the film to be a tool for both community engagement and education. Use the buttons below to sign up and request more information about how you can get involved!
Community Engagement
PBS member stations, museums, libraries, and partner organizations will host events and activities in their communities using the documentary as a resource. PBS will be be offering a suite of toolkits targeted for various groups, including general audiences, youth, military, arts, and more.
Education
PBS Learning Media will launch a collection of classroom-ready resources for grades 3 through 12 in their “Ken Burns in the Classroom” hub this fall. Additionally, PBS and its stations will be hosting in-person and virtual teacher learning events around the subject matter.
